Blatter Re-Elected As FIFA President, Soccer World Is In Turmoil

Sepp Blatter has been re-elected, but a World Cup boycott would be devastating for the betting industry. (Image:telegraph.co.uk)

Sepp Blatter, the controversial head of FIFA, has been re-elected as president of the world soccer governing body.

Despite years of condemnation, negative headlines, and the arrests of seven top FIFA officials on corruption charges, Blatter has ignored widespread calls for his resignation this week.

Instead, he received endorsement from 133 of 209 FIFA member delegates at the organization’s annual general meeting in Zurich and will continue to preside over world football for his fifth tenure.

His challenger, Prince Ali Bin Al-Hussein of Jordan, withdrew after the first round of voting.

“For the next four years I will be in command of this boat called FIFA. Beach soccer will be played everywhere,” crowed the 79-old Swiss, amid titters from the press bench. “Let’s go FIFA, Let’s go FIFA. Thank you.”

Conspiracy

Blatter denied responsibility for last weeks arrests, the result of a 47-count indictment filed in federal court in Brooklyn against 14 people, accused, variously, of racketeering, wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy.

FIFA officials are accused of accepting bribes worth over $150 million in return for offering lucrative World Cup media and marketing rights to various companies and national football associations.

Under investigation are the controversial decisions to award forthcoming World Cups to Russia and Qatar, despite those country’s spotty human rights records and a summer climate in Qatar that makes the hosting of a soccer tournament impractical.

Also under scrutiny is the bidding for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

“The defendants fostered a culture of corruption and greed that created an uneven playing field for the biggest sport in the world,” said FBI Director James Comey. “Undisclosed and illegal payments, kickbacks and bribes became a way of doing business at FIFA.”

Could UEFA Boycott World Cup?

Michel Platini, head of the European soccer governing body UEFA, said he would not rule out a European boycott of the 2018 World Cup in Russia should Blatter be re-elected. His comments were echoed by the head of the English football association Greg Dyke.

“There would be no point pulling England out if everyone else stays in,” Dyke told Sky Sports. “It would have no impact. It would just be forgotten. But if you could pull UEFA out, that might have an impact. If Blatter gets re-elected, then that should be discussed.

“I thought the evidence the Americans produced was devastating and I don’t think Blatter can survive that,” he added. “He might survive this weekend but I don’t think he can survive in the long-term. During his period in charge, the level of corruption has been unacceptable. It’s just frightening.”

Bad News For Bookies

Suddenly a partial boycott of the next World Cup has become a very real prospect, and that’s bad news for the bookmakers.

The World Cup is the single most bet-upon event in the world, and last years was the most bet-upon event in history.

Well over $1 billion was wagered on the regulated markets during the 2014 World Cup, and billions more on the unregulated markets across Asia.

Even the Vegas sports books reported the biggest handle ever recorded during the month of June, usually the slowest time of the year.

However, in the meantime, never the types to miss a trick, the bookies have slashed their odds on the USA (3:1) and England (25:1) taking the hosting responsibilities of the 2018 World Cup off Russia’s hands.